Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 19 October 1912

Curious Swinton Case

A difference between two Swinton persons led to a curious case been brought into court.

The defendant was David Willey, a middle-aged man (for whom Mr WM Gichard appeared) and the complainant was Emma Anne Coates, married, of Charles St, Swinton.

The woman accused the man of having spoken indecent language to her.

The complainant said she met the defendant in the street, when he used the language complained of.

For the defence Mr Gichard submitted that the woman and made a mistake as to the meaning of what was said. The defendant and the complainant was well known to each other, and when the defendant saw her on October 3 – the date of the alleged offence – EMR that she was not looking well.

She said her health had not been good, whereupon the defendant said “Tha’ wants to straighten thi’sen up a bit.”

It was the latter part of the sentence that the complainant had misunderstood. Morning

The defendant gave evidence on his own behalf, deny the charge made against him.

The summons was dismissed.